The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-02-05
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
Society at the Capital-Some "Jefferso
MAN Simplicity"-A Great Railroad
King in Town, &C., &c.
WASHINGTON, D. c., February Sd, Is


WASHINGTON, D. c., February Sd, 1887.
Editors Union Through pressure of other
business have been almost unable the past two
weeks to keep up with the events of the capital.
The social events L have never taken much in
terest in, but the number of brilliant receptions,
&C., that have taken place here at the capital the
present winter have not been behind those of all
past seasons. All the Presidents receptions have
been of the most approved kind and largely at
tended. The attraction to these receptions have
been much the greater by reason of the curiosity
of many people to see Mrs. Cleveland, about whom
so much has been said, and especially relating
to her beauty. Her pictures, in every style of
dress and in every pose is seen in large frames in
photographer windows along the avenue and
persons, after gazing at these are anxious to see
the original and attend these receptions for that
purpose, while otherwise they would not have the
opportunity to do SO. But they are often disap-
pointed in this, as it is only at the special recep
lions where Mrs. Cleveland and the Cabinet ladies
preside that Mrs. Cleveland attends and can be
seen. Likewise, on Sundays crowds of strangers
visiting the city flock to Dr. Sunderland's Presby-
terrain Church, on Four-and -a-half street, to see
Mrs. Cleveland and the President
The marriage of Secretary Lamar, of the In
terror Department, might have been considered
social event if it had not been conducted quiet
" down South that it attracted hardly the least
attention. But it seems to be the disposition
the part of this administration to do things in as
unobtrusive manner as possible. However, not
withstandng the matter Of fact manner of doing
things, so that the marriage of Cabinet officer
hardly receives any attention and scarcely makes
ripple upon the social waters, yet from common
observation it can hardly be said that the admin
istraton has returned to that "Jeffersonian sim
plicity" that has been so much Wanted. One can
not discover from the closest observation that
there is any difference in the modes or manners of
the White House or the administration from what
has always prevailed here. 1t is true that such
magnificent dinners may not be given as was done
by President Arthur, and also it may be truthfully
said that "wine" is not excluded from the White
House table as was done during President Hayes's
administration. Yet outside of these few features
no change in affairs is perceivable, and 1t must be
remembered that all domestic arrangements are
regulated according to the peculiar tastes of the
particular incumbent of the White House. If Mr..
Cleveland is not fond of big dinners, of theatre
going Though he goes sometimes), or of social
gatherings, or would rather have little wine at
his meals, to wash down the plain and otherwise
hard to- swallow food of the White House table,
they are domestic matters that he has sole control
of and can order according to his own liking
But that Mr.. Cleveland does love to ride to church
on Sunday mornings in fine carriage and be-
hind JwV-eyeakiuy bays, which can make the
streets rattle, is evident from the sight obtained
of his equipage and himself and Mrs. Cleveland
going thither last Sunday morning. His pair of
bays were not the I0urln mana OF PRESIDENT GranL
that used to draw him and Mrs. Grant to the
Metropolitan Church, right near DR.. Sunderland's
church, years ago when President Grant occupied
the White House, but they were certainly taking"
enough to satisfy any one who pretends to one
mite of the Jefersonian principle.
The appearance in the city of Mr.. Vanderbilt,
the great New York railroad president, this week,
called out great deal of the latent sycophancy
towards wealth, and that worthy railroad king
had showers of invitations lavished upon him by
Senators and others to dinners and other enter
tainments, but accepted only that of Senator Nc
Pherson, of New Jersey, to dinner. Is wealthy
railroad king greater man than President or
any other potentate or man in this city? Why
such fawning and running after Mr.. Vanderbilt?
Legislation in Congress is going along with its
usual rapidity this week. The Inter State Com
MERGE bill has not yet been signed by the Pres-
dent and there are some suspicious that it may
not be, as strong influences are being brought ON
the President to prevent his signing it. A num-
Der of railroad presidents and others have been in
the city the past week, but all deny that they were
or are here to influence the President in the mat.
ter of this bill. If the President vetoes the bill,
unless the vote changes by which it passed the
House and Senate, which is not impossible, it
could become law by two-thirds vote over the
veto If the bill should fail some anxious persons
would lose the fat plums of $500 per year as
commissioners under it. ANON.